Dear professors and teachers, all faculty employees! Our beloved students!
Kazimierz Leon Sapieha, who held a high public position, understood that IUSTITIA EST FUNDAMENTUM REGNORUM – justice is the foundation of the state.
Not surprisingly, he received his education by studying at the best Western European universities of the time – Leuven, Brussels, Bologna and Padua. These were not empty words for him – he proved his commitment to justice by funding the establishment of a third faculty – the Faculty of Law – at Vilnius University. Patronage was confirmed by the decision of the King of Poland and the Grand Duke of Lithuania Vladislav IV Vaza, granting the privilege to pursue law studies at Vilnius University. In this sense, we are a royal faculty and let us not forget that. It was the year 1641.
Today we count 381 years of the history of the faculty. During that time, a lot happened: activities of both the faculty and the university were stopped, challenges followed challenges, but the faculty and the university resurrected with new strength and new energy. Let’s remember this and thank our ancestors, who not only knew, but also perfectly understood the thought of Saint Augustine, “Without justice, what else is the State, but a great band of robbers”?
We know our history and we are proud of it. Together we bravely look to the future. Although there is no shortage of challenges. After the pandemic calmed down, hybrid wars started, next to Lithuania, the aggressor started a war against a freedom-loving nation. After Professor Tomas Davulis, Dean of the Faculty of Law, showed exceptional leadership, we also got involved – our faculty became home to several dozens of students and researchers from Ukraine who were forced to leave their homeland.
Let’s not hide it – being successful, being a leader is both fun and enjoyable. But let’s not forget – leadership and success are binding, they require constant effort and energy. This is a huge responsibility. It is the responsibility of all of us, not only the administration or teachers, but also the students.
Therefore, I appeal to students: be persistent! Be patient! Don’t give up! Be like the soil ready to receive the grain! Be thirsty! I appeal to all faculty pedagogical staff: let students drink your knowledge, share your competences. Be a role model for them. Be the Teachers that our students would remember for a lifetime.
I appeal to those working in the faculty administration: help our young colleagues, advise them, direct them, win their thanks, their smiles and their hearts.
Every beginning and every celebration are also an opportunity to give thanks. To thank everyone who is part of our community or who is together with our community – our social partners, our alumni, our friends. Without you, we would not be who we are today, your advice, your support and fellowship inspire us and lead us forward. THANK YOU!
I have to sincerely thank the former Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Tomas Davulis. Dear Tomas, thank you for your efforts, for your leadership, for your ideas!
You leave the faculty more beautiful, more innovative, stronger and more respected. I say THANK YOU for this not only as your colleague, but also as your team member and friend. The assessment bar has been raised high, it will not be easy.
In Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s magical work “The Little Prince”, there is a wonderful conversation between the Little Prince and the fox. The fox says: “I am just a fox to you, like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, we will need each other. You will be the only one in the world for me… I will be the only one in the world for you…” Let me paraphrase: There are hundreds of thousands of students and thousands of faculties in the world. But if we tame each other, we will become necessary to each other. You will be the only one in the world for us… We will be the only one in the world for you…
Happy beginning of the school year!
Sincerely and respectfully,
Dean, assoc. prof. dr. Haroldas Šinkūnas